Getting into it.
Setting down roots in the place you are right now. Even if it's not forever.
After a long trip home to see family in Australia, I am back in my London flat (my other home) and have been thinking a lot about roots.
In a way I feel like I belong in both homes: my childhood and family belong in Australia while my friends and career are here in the UK. But at times it can make the roots I set down in both places feel a little weaker. Halved, even.
This problem isn’t unique. And for some, it’s a much bigger issue. Words like alienation, loneliness, and isolation get thrown around a lot these days, and I can certainly see how things might get that way for people living in a big city, far from family, in a rented flat or a new neighbourhood.
So since getting back, I’ve been dreaming up ways of getting a little rooted in the places we all find ourselves in right now, even if it’s not forever. Little acts to make ourselves feel at home wherever we are.
And since we’re talking about roots, what better place to start than the trees?
See you in the next one, a week from now.
Annabel
Roots are virtual. Tied together by common interests, a childhood connection, a weekly call to a dear friend. Roots are linguistic, cultural, life-trajectory, spiritual connections. And when connections go wrong, there are always other places to go. Connected by food, culture, common values you can be anywhere. And be in love with your life.